It was pitched as being perfect for someone who fancied posing like Putin, a rare rugged Russian army truck that was up for sale in Norfolk.

The Zil 131 military vehicle that sold but failed to meet estimate at East Anglian Motor Auctions. Picture: Antony Kelly

East Anglian Motor Auctions in Wymondham put the Soviet-era vehicle under the hammer at its recent Plant and Machinery Auction.

Known as ZIL 131, the 1978 general multi-purpose vehicle with six wheels and weighing three-and-a-half tons, had been expected to fetch up to £10,000.

In the end it failed to generate enough excitement from bidders to meet the estimate, but it did eventually sell after the sale for £6,500.

Tristram Belemore-Smith, auctioneer, said: “It sold for £6,500 but it was after the sale. There was quite a lot of interest but obviously it is a specialist vehicle that would appeal mainly to collectors.

“We had never really had anything like it before. It was a bit of an oddball thing. We don’t know what the buyer plans to do with it. Perhaps they will use it as a promotional thing.”